The global body that governs the legal trade in nuclear materials has postponed a decision on whether to give New Delhi access to nuclear fuel and technology — a blow to a landmark deal between Washington and New Delhi.
The Nuclear Suppliers Group’s (NSG) approval of an exemption to its rules is essential for finalizing the civil nuclear cooperation deal. The pact would reverse more than three decades of US policy by allowing the sale of nuclear materials to India, a country that has not signed international nonproliferation accords — and has tested nuclear weapons.
The 45-nation suppliers group said in a statement on Friday that it would meet again soon to continue its deliberations on an agreement.
Earlier this month, India fulfilled one prerequisite for the deal by striking an inspections agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. After the NSG agrees to waive its rules for India, the deal would need approval by the US Congress.
Suppliers group approval would enable other countries to strike similar deals with India.
Washington, eager to see the deal pushed through before US President George W. Bush leaves office, played down the inconclusive end to the two-day gathering.
“We had a constructive and positive discussion today,” acting US Undersecretary of State John Rood told reporters.
“For us in the United States, we’re pleased with the results of the discussion and I remain very optimistic that we’re going to continue to make progress toward this important goal,” he said.
Observers had predicted it could take multiple meetings before a decision is taken.
Delegates leaving the closed-door meeting on Friday gave little indication of what went on but it was clear that US and Indian hopes for an unconditional exemption had suffered a significant setback.
One participant said the US was expected to present a revised waiver proposal by the beginning of next week.
SLOW-MOVING STORM: The typhoon has started moving north, but at a very slow pace, adding uncertainty to the extent of its impact on the nation Work and classes have been canceled across the nation today because of Typhoon Krathon, with residents in the south advised to brace for winds that could reach force 17 on the Beaufort scale as the Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecast that the storm would make landfall there. Force 17 wind with speeds of 56.1 to 61.2 meters per second, the highest number on the Beaufort scale, rarely occur and could cause serious damage. Krathon could be the second typhoon to land in southwestern Taiwan, following typhoon Elsie in 1996, CWA records showed. As of 8pm yesterday, the typhoon’s center was 180km
STILL DANGEROUS: The typhoon was expected to weaken, but it would still maintain its structure, with high winds and heavy rain, the weather agency said One person had died amid heavy winds and rain brought by Typhoon Krathon, while 70 were injured and two people were unaccounted for, the Central Emergency Operation Center said yesterday, while work and classes have been canceled nationwide today for the second day. The Hualien County Fire Department said that a man in his 70s had fallen to his death at about 11am on Tuesday while trimming a tree at his home in Shoufeng Township (壽豐). Meanwhile, the Yunlin County Fire Department received a report of a person falling into the sea at about 1pm on Tuesday, but had to suspend search-and-rescue
RULES BROKEN: The MAC warned Chinese not to say anything that would be harmful to the autonomous status of Taiwan or undermine its sovereignty A Chinese couple accused of disrupting a pro-democracy event in Taipei organized by Hong Kong residents has been deported, the National Immigration Agency said in a statement yesterday afternoon. A Chinese man, surnamed Yao (姚), and his wife were escorted by immigration officials to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, where they boarded a flight to China before noon yesterday, the agency said. The agency said that it had annulled the couple’s entry permits, citing alleged contraventions of the Regulations Governing the Approval of Entry of People of the Mainland Area into the Taiwan Area (大陸地區人民進入台灣地區許可辦法). The couple applied to visit a family member in
CELEBRATION: The PRC turned 75 on Oct. 1, but the Republic of China is older. The PRC could never be the homeland of the people of the ROC, Lai said The People’s Republic of China (PRC) could not be the “motherland” of the people of the Republic of China (ROC), President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks in a speech at a Double Ten National Day gala in Taipei, which is part of National Day celebrations that are to culminate in a fireworks display in Yunlin County on Thursday night next week. Lai wished the country a happy birthday and called on attendees to enjoy the performances and activities while keeping in mind that the ROC is a sovereign and independent nation. He appealed for everyone to always love their
RSS